Mercedes launch: Lewis Hamilton 'attacking again' after considering future

Lewis Hamilton admitted he spent time this winter considering his future as Mercedes launched their new car for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Hamilton lost out on an eighth world title in controversial circumstances at last year's final race in Abu Dhabi.

«I never said I was going to stop. But it was a difficult time for me and I really needed to step back,» he said.

«Eventually I got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking again coming into another season.»

Hamilton was leading in Abu Dhabi and on course for a record eighth world title when race director Michael Masi failed to operate the rules correctly during a late safety-car period.

That resulted in Hamilton being passed by Red Bull's Max Verstappen on one final lap of racing after a restart.

The FIA has conducted an inquiry into what happened and on Thursday announced a series of changes to address it — including removing Masi as race director.

Hamilton said he had retreated to the comfort of his family as he sought to process what had happened.

«It was a time where I really needed to step back, focus on being present,» he said. «I had my family all around me creating great moments.»

Team principal Toto Wolff told BBC Radio 5 Live that Abu Dhabi was «in the past» but admitted: «It's not something we will ever in a way recover from.»

He denied that Masi's removal was a condition for Hamilton's return and said he was never worried the 37-year-old would quit.

«I have known Lewis for such a long time and I wasn't (worried),» he said. «But obviously this has had such an impact on him when everything about, it was about fairness and justice and when that happens to you it is quite difficult to, I understand, to cope with that.»

Wolff added at the car launch that the FIA